Key takeaways

  • Some business credit cards earn cash back for spending, although their rewards rates and benefits vary widely.
  • The best cash back business credit cards available right now come from Capital One, Chase and Sutton Bank.
  • Note that some business credit cards that earn high cash back rates are traditional credit cards, whereas others are charge cards that require the balance to be paid in full each billing cycle.

The best cash back business credit cards help businesses get something back for each dollar spent, and many come with no annual fee. These cards also help individuals build business credit, and they can come with perks like travel insurance and consumer protections.

Most cash back business credit cards also offer free employee cards, which can help businesses track spending more easily and earn more rewards over time. If you’re a business owner who is considering a business card to earn rewards, consider the following business credit card options from major issuers like Capital One, Chase and Sutton Bank.

Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card: Best for no annual fee

Why we picked it: The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card stands out due to the fact that it offers 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases and 5 percent total cash back on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025), all with no annual fee. Cardholders can also earn $900 in cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.

Pros

  • No annual fee required
  • Free employee cards
  • Rewards are unlimited
  • Flexible redemption options
  • Can pool rewards with Chase travel credit cards
  • Intro APR offer for purchases available

Cons

  • No direct transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners
  • No bonus categories to maximize
  • Charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee


Who should apply: Business owners who want to earn unlimited, flat cash back with no annual fee should apply. This is especially true for those who can meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the welcome offer, as well as those who want an intro APR offer on purchases.

Who should skip: Skip the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card if you’re a big spender who doesn’t mind paying an annual fee to secure a higher rewards rate.

Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for big spenders

Why we picked it: The Capital One Spark Cash Plus is best for big spenders since it offers a flat 2 percent cash back on every purchase, albeit with a $150 annual fee. Cardholders can also earn a one-time cash bonus of $1,200 after spending $30,000 within three months of account opening.

Pros

  • Get $150 annual fee refunded every year you spend at least $150,000
  • No preset spending limit
  • Free employee cards

Cons

  • As a charge card, full payment is required each billing cycle
  • Big spending requirement to earn welcome offer
  • No major cardholder benefits


Who should apply: Apply for the Capital One Spark Cash Plus if you want to earn an exceptional cash back rate and your business spends enough to earn the welcome offer. Also, consider this card if you’re enticed by the idea of not having a preset spending limit.

Who should skip: Skip this card if you want the option to carry a balance from one month to the next. Since the Capital One Spark Cash Plus is a charge card, you have to pay the balance in full each month.

Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for office supply stores

Why we picked it: The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card doesn’t have an annual fee, and cardholders can earn 5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services per year. Plus, cardholders earn 5 percent total cash back on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025), 2 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants per year and 1 percent cash back on other purchases. A welcome offer of $900 in cash back is also available to those who can spend $6,000 on business purchases within three months of account opening.

Pros

  • Generous rewards with no annual fee
  • Intro APR offer on purchases
  • Free employee cards
  • Can pool rewards with Chase travel credit cards

Cons



Who should apply: Apply for the Ink Business Cash Credit Card if you want to earn outsized rewards at office supply stores and a generous welcome offer with no annual fee. Also, consider this card if you want an intro APR offer on purchases.

Who should skip: Skip the Ink Business Cash Credit Card if you would prefer to earn a higher rewards rate on all purchases (versus just 1 percent cash back on non-bonus spending).

Chase Ink Business Premier Credit Card: Best for large purchases

Why we picked it: The Chase Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card is great for large purchases since it offers 2.5 percent cash back on all purchases of $5,000 or more, 5 percent total cash back on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025) and 2 percent cash back on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders can also earn a $1,000 cash welcome bonus after spending $10,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.

This card also comes with cellphone protection against eligible damage or theft when you pay your cellphone bill with your Ink Business Premier card. You’ll get up to $1,000 per claim in protection for you and any employees listed on your monthly cellphone bill, with a maximum of three claims in a 12-month period and a $100 deductible per claim.

Pros

  • Generous earning rates and welcome offer
  • Free employee cards
  • Option to pay in full or carry a balance
  • Comes with cellphone protection and other consumer benefits
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $195 annual fee applies
  • Limited redemption options


Who should apply: Consider the Chase Ink Business Premier Credit Card if you want to earn a high rate of cash back and you don’t mind paying an annual fee.

Who should skip: Skip this Chase credit card if you want a card that lets you pool rewards with other Chase Ultimate Rewards accounts you might have, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Capital One Spark 1% Classic: Best for fair credit

Why we picked it: We picked the Capital One Spark 1% Classic* because it lets business owners with fair credit (FICO scores from 580 to 669) earn 1 percent cash back on all purchases with no annual fee.

Pros

  • Can qualify with fair credit
  • Earn unlimited 1 percent cash back
  • No annual fee
  • Free employee cards
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Builds credit

Cons

  • Lower rewards rate
  • No welcome offer


Who should apply: Consider the Capital One Spark 1% Classic if you want a traditional cash back business credit card but your credit score is in the fair range.

Who should skip: Skip this card if you have a credit score in the good or excellent range and can qualify for options with a higher rewards rate.

Revenued Business Card: Best with no personal guarantee

Why we picked it: The Revenued Business Card from Sutton Bank lets business owners earn 3 percent cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. However, this card uses a factor rate instead of interest charges and bases eligibility on positive business cash flow. Business owners can also earn a welcome offer of $500 after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within three months of account opening.

Pros

  • Earn generous rewards with no annual fee
  • No personal guarantee
  • Eligibility based on business revenue
  • Can qualify with imperfect credit

Cons

  • Expensive finance charges based on a factor rate
  • Scarce cardholder benefits
  • Does not build credit


Who should apply: Consider this card if your credit score isn’t good enough to qualify for a traditional cash back business credit card. Just remember that your eligibility will be based on business revenue, and that the factor rate you pay in place of interest is high enough to wipe away all the rewards you earn for spending (and then some).

Who should skip: If you have good or excellent credit, or even fair credit, you may qualify for a cash back business credit card with better rewards and lower ongoing costs.

How to choose a cash back business credit card

Finding the best cash back business credit card is no easy feat when there are so many options to choose from. Consider the following factors as you decide:

  • Cardholder benefits. Look for cardholder benefits you want access to, such as free employee cards, travel protections, purchase protection or extended warranty coverage.
  • Eligibility requirements. Find out the minimum credit score needed to qualify, and check your own credit score to see where you stand.
  • Fees. Watch out for credit card fees like annual fees and foreign transaction fees.
  • Rewards rate. Pick a card that rewards you for the types of purchases you normally make.
  • Welcome offers. Compare cards based on their sign-up bonuses, but make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement with regular business spending and bills.

The bottom line

The best business credit cards for cash back are all rewarding in their own way, but you’ll want to make sure the rewards rate(s) and perks offered make sense for your goals and how you spend. Compare cards side by side to find the right fit, and make sure you wind up with a business credit card that offers the rewards and benefits you want.

*The information about the Capital One Spark 1% Classic has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.